Ruby Chow stuffing a turkey.
History of Washington Through Food
Winner of the 2005 Asian American Journalists Award: Excellence in Journalism (Radio)
It has been said that food is not just nourishment, but an expression of one's culture. When they come to America, immigrants are likely to shed their native language and traditional clothing to blend into their new home-but food is typically the last to go. This month on KUOW, we look at our local history through food. Reporter Ruby de Luna brings us stories from some of the native and immigrant groups in the Puget Sound region. Come explore their rich cultures…and their foods. Reported by Ruby de Luna.
Funding for A History of Washington Through Food was provided by the KUOW Program Venture Fund. Contributors include Paul and Laurie Ahern and Puget Sound Energy.
Women cooking salmon, Muckleshoot Reservation, ca. 1950.
History of Washington Through Food: Return to Tradition
Friday, October 01, 2004
There's a short song from the Makah tribe. The words are simple, "you have gone, you are going far away." The Makahs sang this five years ago when they resumed whale hunting. Elders say the hunt revived their culture, and reawakened interest in traditional food. More »
History of Washington Through Food: Nords Among Us
Friday, October 08, 2004
Warren Magnuson, Ivar Haglund, John Nordstrom… names synonymous with the history of the Pacific Northwest. These important figures descend from the Nordic immigrants who helped build Seattle. One of their longstanding contributions is their impact on northwest cuisine. In the second report of our series on Washington history through food, KUOW’s Ruby de Luna reports that Nordic immigrants brought us fish as we know it. More »
History of Washington Through Food: Food Politics
Friday, October 15, 2004
In the 1970’s Yakima valley radio station KDNA played this song, “The Scent of a Woman”, when immigration officers were cracking down on undocumented farm workers. KDNA listeners tipped the station when they saw immigration agents. In turn the station tipped off the farm workers… More »
History of Washington Through Food: Desegregation Through Food
Friday, October 22, 2004
Governor Gary Locke may be the most prominent Asian-American to hold office in Washington, but there were others before him who paved the way. The first Asian-American woman to break into local politics was restaurateur Ruby Chow. Her restaurant was one of the first Chinese spots outside the International District. It became a gathering place for politicians. In the fourth installment of our series on how food shaped Washington history, KUOW’s Ruby de Luna profiles the woman who bridged the Asian community and mainstream society…through food. More »
History of Washington Through Food: Acceptance
Friday, October 29, 2004
Immigrants come to America looking for opportunity and a better life. For some the path to success is food. In the final installment of our series on how food has shaped Washington history, we meet a unique woman. KUOW’s Ruby de Luna takes us to the Kitsap Peninsula to visit Xinh Dwelley, Vietnamese immigrant, war bride and oyster queen. More »
Special Thanks
Makah Cultural and Research Center, Nordic Heritage Museum, Feliks Banel at the Museum of History and Industry, Bureau of Reclamation, KDNA Radio Cadena, and Stephen Whitehouse at the Shelton-Mason County Chamber of Commerce.
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